Rosangela Locatelli Dittrich

Occurrence of antibodies against Neospora caninum and/or Toxoplasma gondii in dogs with neurological signs

This study aimed to evaluate occurrences of antibodies against Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in dogs with neurological signs. Blood samples from 147 dogs were collected: 127 from owned dogs (attended at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná (HV-UFPR) and at private veterinary clinics in the city of Curitiba), and 20 from stray dogs found in Curitibas metropolitan region. The dogs presented one or more of the following neurological signs: seizures, paresis or paralysis, ataxia, behavioral abnormalities, sensory and somatic disorders and chorioretinitis. The samples were analyzed by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), at a cutoff dilution of 1:50. Out of the 147 samples obtained, 17 (11.56%) were seropositive for N. caninum, 31 (21.08%) for T. gondii and four (2.72%) for both protozoa. Serum titration on the positive animals showed that 54.83% (17/31) and 41.18% (7/17) had titers ≥ 1:200 against T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. A significant difference in seropositivity for T. gondii (P = 0.021; OR = 2.87; CI = 1.1 > 2.8 > 7.4) was observed between owned dogs (18.11%) and stray dogs (40%). Inclusion of serological tests for neosporosis and toxoplasmosis is recommended in diagnosing neurological diseases in dogs.

Ruthenium complex exerts antineoplastic effects that are mediated by oxidative stress without inducing toxicity in Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats

Abstract The present study evaluated the in vivo antitumor effects and toxicity of a new Ru(II) compound, cis‐(Ru[phen]2[ImH]2)2+ (also called RuphenImH [RuC]), against Walker‐256 carcinosarcoma in rats. After subcutaneous inoculation of Walker‐256 cells in the right pelvic limb, male Wistar rats received 5 or 10 mg kg−1 RuC orally or intraperitoneally (i.p.) every 3 days for 13 days. A positive control group (2 mg kg−1 cisplatin) and negative control group (vehicle) were also used. Tumor progression was checked daily. After treatment, tumor weight, plasma biochemistry, hematology, oxidative stress, histology, and tumor cell respiration were evaluated. RuC was effective against tumors when administered i.p. but not orally. The highest i.p. dose of RuC (10 mg kg−1) significantly reduced tumor volume and weight, induced oxidative stress in tumor tissue, reduced the respiration of tumor cells, and induced necrosis but did not induce apoptosis in the tumor. No clinical signs of toxicity or death were observed in tumor‐bearing or healthy rats that were treated with RuC. These results suggest that RuC has antitumor activity through the modulation of oxidative stress and impairment of oxidative phosphorylation, thus promoting Walker‐256 cell death without causing systemic toxicity. These effects make RuC a promising anticancer drug for clinical evaluation. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available. HighlightsThe compound RuphenImH (RuC) presented antitumor effect against the Walker‐256 tumor in rats.RuC induced oxidative stress and reduced the respiration of tumor cells.RuC presented antitumor effect by i.p. but not by p.o. administration.RuC has antitumor effect without causing systemic toxicity.

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii serodiagnosis in human immunodeficiency virus carriers.

INTRODUCTION Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii belong to the Sarcocystidae family, and both have one definitive and various intermediary hosts. Owing to their weak immune systems, immunocompromised persons might be prone to opportunistic infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of anti- N. caninum and anti- T. gondii antibodies in immunocompromised individuals. METHODS This cross-sectional study investigated the rates of N. caninum and T. gondii , as assessed using immunofluorescent antibody reaction (IFAT) with 1:50 and 1:16 dilution, respectively, in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). RESULTS The seropositivity for N. caninum was 26.1% (81/310) in Mato Grosso do Sul and 31.2% (10/32) in Paraná and for T. gondii was 76.8% (238/310) in Mato Grosso do Sul and 68.7% (22/32) in Paraná. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence of anti- N caninum and anti- T. gondii antibodies in patients with HIV. Other aspects of T. gondii , which is a zoonosis, and N. caninum , which might affect immunodeficient individuals, need to be evaluated and reported.

Residual feed intake and hematological and metabolic blood profiles of lle de France lambs

The objectives of this study were to estimate the phenotypic correlations of residual feed intake (RFI) and gross feed efficiency (GFE) with hematological and metabolic blood profiles of lambs and to determine the differences for these traits in animals of different RFI classes. Twenty Ile de France male lambs, 115±8 days of age and 31.3±4.1 kg of body weight (means ± SD), were individually housed and their dry matter intake was measured over 65 days. They were weighed every 13 days to determine the average daily weight gain and two blood samples were collected at the last two weighings (at 07h30) for analysis of blood variables. The animals were divided into two classes: negative RFI (most efficient: 0.5 SD above the mean; n=8). There were associations among RFI and the serum metabolic variables for albumin (rRFI = 0.74) and creatinine (rRFI = -0.45) and between GFE and serum albumin (rGFE = -0.70). Less efficient animals as measured by RFI had higher serum albumin and lower creatinine levels and showed a tendency to have a greater concentration of total plasma protein. Other serum biochemical parameters were not correlated with GFE and RFI, and no differences between RFI classes were found. There was a correlation between the percentage of eosinophils and RFI (rRFI = -0.65), and such more efficient animals had a higher proportion of these cells and a trend to have a lower percentage of monocytes. This study provided evidence indicating associations between RFI and protein metabolism, as reflected by the serum albumin and creatinine. The hematological findings suggest that RFI is related to susceptibility of lambs to stressand should provide a basis for further research in this regard.

Early weaning and concentrate supplementation on the performance and metabolic profile of grazing lambs

This study was designed to investigate the effect of early weaning and concentrate supplementation on performance and metabolic profile of lambs in four production systems on pasture: suckling lambs not supplemented until slaughter; suckling lambs supplemented with concentrate in creep feeding until slaughter; early weaned lambs not supplemented until slaughter; early weaned lambs supplemented with concentrate until slaughter. Performance was assessed by average daily gain (ADG) and body condition score (BCS) measurements. Metabolic profile was delineated by measuring serum albumin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, glucose and aspartate aminotransferase. Weaning reduced ADG by 92 g/d and the ADG for weaned and suckling lambs were 113 g/d and 205 g/d, respectively. Supplementation increased ADG by 117 g/d and the ADG was 99 g/d for non-supplemented and 216 g/d for supplemented lambs. Body weight and BCS at the end of trial were lower in weaned and non-supplemented animals (20.7 kg and 1.5 points), and higher in those on creep feeding (35.3 kg and 3.3 points). Weaning decreased serum levels of albumin, cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase. Supplementation increased serum albumin and decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase. Serum urea was not affected by weaning or supplementation and remained high during the trial. Serum creatinine and glucose were lower in weaned and non-supplemented lambs. Early weaning generates unsuitable metabolic profile and low performance and may not be recommended as single strategy to produce lambs on pasture. Concentrate supplementation has similar response to suckling on the performance and metabolic profile of animals, and may be considered an efficient strategy to improve the nutritional status of early weaned lambs.

Comportamento ingestivo de equinos e a relação com o aproveitamento das forragens e bem-estar dos animais

The society has taken a new direction towards a respectable relationship with the animals and a more conscious breeding, use for food, sports and company. The domestication and the use of horses by people have caused wrong feeding management, which is mainly due to reduced knowledge on feeding behavior. The pastures are the appropriate environment to horses feeding, but it is a complex system which interferes on the horse’s decision while it is grazing. The appropriate horse’s feeding management depends [...]

Perfil hematológico de codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica) sob estresse térmico

In quail raising the limits of climatic variables such as temperature and relative humidity, affect the performance and welfare of these birds. The thermal comfort temperature for quails is between 18 and 22oC and the discomfort can cause stress by changing circulating heterophils and lymphocytes and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. The objective of this study was to establish the stress levels in quails during the production cycles with different temperatures through changes in WBC and the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. This study was conducted in four production cycles of 200 Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica), during 22 days each one (referred as C1, C2, C3 and C4). Average temperatures were: 22.4°C (C1), 25.5°C (C2), 23.3°C (C3) and 21.5°C (C4). We collected blood samples from 80 quails in each cycle for determination of haematological parameters and values of the heterophil-lymphocyte ratio (H/ L). The heterophil / lymphocyte ratio average was 1.695 for C1, 2.424 for C2, 1.8 for C3 and 1.29 for C4. Comparing this average among the four cycles is noted that the p value was less than 0.0001, except between the first and third periods, in which the p value was not significant. The heterophilia and lymphopenia verified and the increase in the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio in the cycle, coinciding with rising temperatures, beyond the limit of thermal comfort for these birds mainly in C2, is evidence that these birds were in heat stress and that the quails are highly susceptible birds to climate variations.

Oxidative stress in hoof laminar tissue of horses with lethal gastrointestinal diseases.

Tissue damage caused by oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases in animals and man, and is believed to play a role in the development of laminitis in horses. The aim of this study was to investigate the oxidative stress associated with laminar lesions in horses with lethal gastrointestinal disorders. Laminar tissue samples of the hoof of 30 horses were used. Tissue samples were divided as follows: six healthy horses (control group-CG), and 24 horses that died after complications of gastrointestinal diseases (group suffering from gastrointestinal disorders-GDG). Superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and nitrotyrosine immunostaining and the severity of laminar lesions were evaluated. Presence of laminar lesions and immunostaining for nitrotyrosine and SOD2 were only evident in horses from the GDG group. Thus, oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of laminar lesions secondary to gastrointestinal disorders.

Serology for Toxoplasmosis and Neosporosis in Ewes in the State of Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are protozoans that can cause reproductive problems in sheep. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of anti–N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies among sheep herds in some counties in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Four hundred sixteen serum samples were collected from ewes in eight counties. The sera samples were evaluated by using an indirect fluorescent antibody test with a 1:50 dilution. The seroprevalences found for T. gondi and N. caninum were 33.7% and 52.2%, respectively. The rate of animals testing positive simultaneously for Neospora and Toxoplasma was of 17.5%. The results of the present study demonstrate that sheep raised in these counties are exposed to T. gondii and N. caninum and that sheep can be co-infected with both parasites.

Bicarbonato de sódio como preventivo da acidose metabólica em ovinos submetidos à acidose ruminal experimental

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of sodium bicarbonate on systemic acidosis due to ruminal acidosis, which was induced by ingestion of concentrate after prolonged fasting. Fourteen sheep were divided into three experimental groups: control group (Cg), with four sheep, submitted to fasting without development of ruminal acidosis; no-treated group (NTg), with five sheep with rumen acidosis without preventive treatment; and treated group (Tg), with five sheep with rumen acidosis and preventively treated with sodium bicarbonate. Assessments of ruminal pH and arterial hemogasometry were performed for 48 hours after ingestion of the concentrate. There was a reduction in the ruminal pH in all groups, whereas the Cg showed a reduction only after 24 hours. A reduction in the arterial pH, bicarbonate and base excess in all groups was also noted, indicating systemic metabolic acidosis, but the NTg presented the greatest alteration. It is concluded that sodium bicarbonate prevents systemic metabolic acidosis, reducing its severity in sheep subjected to ruminal acidosis.